Stock Up Before the Holidays: Your Winter-Ready Maintenance Checklist

TL;DR: Holiday shipping gets crowded and prices go up. Don’t run out of lube when temps drop. Here’s a fast checklist to winter-proof your car, garage, tools, bikes, and small engines—with exact PSL picks and buy links.

Why do this now (not in December)

• Peak-season shipping = slower, pricier. U.S. carriers are handling more holiday packages this year; USPS also added temporary peak surcharges (Oct 5–Jan 18). Order early; avoid delays and extra costs.

The Winter-Ready Checklist (5 areas, 10 minutes each)

1) Car & Truck (cold starts, squeaks, and corrosion)

• Hinges/strikers/hood latch: Clean, then apply a light all-purpose lubricant.
  PSL pick: AiM CLP — keeps moving parts smooth and water-resistant.
  
  Buy on Amazon
  
  Door/weatherstrip rub: Light coat on sticky seals so doors don’t freeze shut.

• Oil system: If you’re due for an oil change, do it before the first freeze.
  PSL pick: OT Oil Treatment — supports smoother operation under cold-start stress.
  
  Note: Core winter car prep also includes battery/tire/fluids—handle those now. 

2) Garage Door & Home Hinges (most common cold-weather “mystery noise”)

• Rollers, hinges, springs: Wipe grime, then lube moving points; keep tracks clean (don’t grease tracks).
  PSL pick: AiM CLP for light parts; PSL Grease for bearings that need something heavier.
  
  Why it matters: Cold increases lubricant viscosity; the right product prevents drag and chatter.
  
  Pro tip: Many door pros favor silicone or low-temp grease in winter for weather resistance on moving parts.

3) Bikes & Outdoor Gear (you’ll feel this on the first cold ride)

• Chain & pivots: Degrease, dry, relube; wipe excess. In wet/cold conditions, a “wet” or all-weather lube lasts longer than a dry lube.
  PSL pick: AiM CLP as an all-purpose field lube for pivots/derailleur bits.
  
  Buy on Amazon – AiM CLP
  
  Reference basics: Clean → lube → wipe excess is the efficient winter routine.

4) Power Tools & Shop Equipment (keep torque, not grind)

• Ratchets, hinges, vises, drill chucks: Clean and lube to avoid stiction and rust bloom.
  
  PSL pick: AiM CLP (light) or Grease (load-bearing joints).
  

5) Small Engines (mowers stored, snowblowers waking up)

• Cables, linkages, exposed metal: Light coat to prevent corrosion during storage.
  PSL pick: AiM CLP on linkages; Grease where manuals call for it.
  
  Oil system note: Cold-start wear is real; appropriate oils and pour-point awareness matter in low temps. 
  
  PSL pick: OT Oil Treatment as part of your service interval.
  

How much to order (no overthinking)

• One AiM CLP for hinges/locks/garage/bikes.

• One Grease for load-bearing parts.

• One OT Oil Treatment if you’re changing oil before first freeze.

• If you run multiple vehicles/doors: grab 2× CLP so you don’t ration mid-December.

Order your winter kit now and avoid peak-season shipping costs/delays.

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